July, 2014 -- No
reform in education has accomplished as much and received as little recognition
as School-to-Career (STC). Launched by the Federal Government in 1994, STC
enhanced the high school experience for millions of young people and brought
about about more positive business involvement with schools and with young
people than any education reform in U.S. History. The federal law sunset
in 2002 and few states took up the torch. Many of the STC partnerships and
intermediary organizations have now lapsed. Great educators and business
leaders across the country, however, have worked to sustain this important
reform. In many cases they "re-invented" STC as a key component
of high school reform. Today's Linked
Learning movement in California is a great example of this re-invention,
as are the practices of the Deeper
Learning school networksand
the long-running National Academy Foundation's work-based learning programs.

1. The Academy X Internship Experience

Watch and
listen to the stories students tell about their experiences in the Academy
X high school internship program. See the enthusiasm and interest these
young people have in learning. Learn how this model high-performance internship
program challenges students to meet high standards and develop personal
qualities that will help shape their future for success. This video, made
by Drake student Matt Cohen in 2000 as his internship with film producer
Fred Cohen (His father), is one of the best videos on high school internships
ever made.

5. Linked Learning

Linked
Learning is a high school improvement approach in California that makes
learning exciting and challenging. It connects strong academics with realworld
experience in a wide range of fields, such as engineering, arts and media,
and biomedical and health scienceshelping students gain an advantage
in high school, college, and career. For more information on Linked Learning
in California, see the Linked Learning
Alliance.